Connecting Communities

Paul Campbell-Rural connections-220521-119.jpg
Connecting Communities supports people to walk, wheel and cycle – for everyday journeys, leisure and adventure

We want everyone in Scotland to have the opportunity to cycle, walk or wheel to get around. Getting active is great for physical and mental health and puts a smile on people’s faces. We know that communities throughout Scotland have their own unique circumstances which requires a tailored and bespoke approach. 

Connecting Communities works with adults of all backgrounds and abilities in backgrounds and abilities in Caithness , Shetland, Moray, East Sutherland, East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Dunoon, Inverclyde, Helensburgh, Dumfries & Galloway.

Update

We regret to share that due to external funding not being renewed, Cycling UK’s Connecting Communities programme will come to an end in six locations across Scotland on 31 March. This decision affects projects in Inverclyde, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Dumfries & Galloway, East Sutherland, and Caithness. 

These projects have played a vital role in helping people gain confidence in cycling, access free bike maintenance, and participate in social rides and walking activities. While we share the disappointment of the communities affected, we are incredibly grateful to our staff, volunteers, participants, and partner organisations who made these projects a success. 

We remain fully committed to promoting active travel across Scotland and will continue working to create more opportunities for cycling, walking and wheeling.

In Dunoon, many of the services previously offered by the Bothy will continue under HITRANS and Dunoon Community Development Trust, though Cycling UK will no longer be involved in this work, and the Connecting Communities programme itself will not continue.

Two people walking on a beach with the sea next to them, one walking and the other cycling

Our development officers are embedded in local communities, using their expertise and local knowledge to work closely with community organisations, local businesses, public sector agencies and individuals.

We offer:

  • A wide range of cycling and walking activities for all abilities
  • Short and long-term cycle loans to help people find a cycle that works for them
  • Support for local organisations to coordinate and add walking, wheeling and cycling opportunities to their existing activities
  • Upskilling of volunteers to deliver activities in their communities and keep cycles working if there is no local bike shop
  • Localised networks of organisations, communities and individuals supporting walking and cycling initiatives

Watch how Sian's life was transformed by getting a trike

We offer a variety of health walks through our Connecting Communities programme

A Health Walk:

  • is led by a trained volunteer on a risk assessed route
  • is usually less than an hour long
  • welcomes new walkers who would benefit from being more active
  • is a friendly group walk offered regularly
  • is an opportunity to meet new people in your area and explore places you might not have been before

Health Walks are aimed at inactive people who would benefit most from doing more physical activity. This can include people who haven’t been active for a while and would like to start again, people recovering from ill health or who are managing a long-term condition and anyone who’s been told by a health professional that they would benefit from being more active. Many Health Walks are also attended by people who are already quite active but who come along because they enjoy the social aspect  and are keen to walk with a group.

To take part in a local health walk, contact your local development officer (details below) to find out our programme of walks and how to book a place. 

Volunteering opportunities

You can help and support us to achieve our aims by volunteering with Connecting Communities. All of our volunteering roles are advertised online.

Roles available include;

  • Health Walk Leader – lead a health walk.
  • Cycle Ride Leader – lead a group ride.
  • Learn to Ride Volunteer - Help children or adults to learn to ride or increase cycle skills in group sessions.
  • Buddy ride volunteer – support people cycle for those everyday journeys by showing them their route, practice safety and positioning and offer general route and riding advice.
  • Tandem Cycle Pilot - Ride as a front rider on a tandem bike for blind or partially sighted people and provide support and guidance on and of the bike during a ride.
  • Bike Maintenance volunteer - Fixe bikes, work within their qualifications/experience.
Local authority Contact Facebook page
Aberdeenshire Bothy Emma Roberts / Anna Vince Aberdeenshire Bothy
Highland (Caithness) George Ewing Highland (Caithness)
Dumfries and Galloway Sian Comerford Dumfries and Galloway
Dunoon Bothy Sara Cairns Dunoon Bothy
East Lothian Angie Kinghorn East Lothian
East Sutherland Bothy Amanda Wagstaffe East Sutherland Bothy
Helensburgh Kirsten Gibson Helensburgh
Inverclyde Bothy Inverclyde Bothy Inverclyde Bothy
Moray Paula Campbell Moray
Shetland Andrew Campbell Shetland